the harder you work, the luckier you get/ðə hˈɑːɹdɚ juː wˈɜːk ðə lˈʌkiɚ juː ɡˈɛt/sentence
used to emphasize the value of hard work, suggesting that success is often the result of persistent effort, rather than luck or chance
"Hard work brings success."
"He always prepared meticulously for every opportunity, believing that the harder you work, the luckier you get."
if you build it, they will come/ɪf juː bˈɪld ɪt ðeɪ wɪl kˈʌm/sentence
used to imply that if one invests time, effort, and resources into creating something worthwhile, others will recognize its value and be naturally drawn to it
"Make something good."
"The entrepreneur believed that if you build it, they will come, so he focused on creating a high-quality product."
no song, no supper/nˈoʊ sˈɔŋ nˈoʊ sˈʌpɚ/sentence
used to emphasize the value of hard work, suggesting that rewards or benefits are often earned through effort and contribution
"Work for rewards."
"The manager made it clear that performance was key; no song, no supper, meaning no results, no bonus."
no sweet without (his|) sweat/nˈoʊ swˈiːt wɪðˌaʊt hɪz swˈɛt/sentence
used to emphasize that in order to achieve something valuable or desirable, one must be willing to put in the necessary effort and hard work
"Effort brings rewards."
"She knew that to achieve her ambitious goals, there would be no sweet without sweat."
revolutions are not made with rose water/ɹˌɛvəlˈuːʃənz ɑːɹ nˌɑːt mˌeɪd wɪð ɹˈoʊz wˈɔːɾɚ/sentence
used to emphasize that significant changes are not achieved easily or without sacrifice and struggle
"Real change requires real effort and sacrifice — revolutions are not made with rose water."
"Transforming the organisation's culture was painful — revolutions are not made with rose water."
Rome was not built in a day/ɹˈoʊm wʌz nˌɑːt bˈɪlt ɪn ɐ dˈeɪ/sentence
used to emphasize that significant achievements or accomplishments require time, effort, and patience, and cannot be completed quickly or easily
"Do not give up — Rome was not built in a day."
"Building a strong brand takes years of consistent effort — Rome was not built in a day."
you (do not|never) get something for nothing/juː duːnˌɑːt nˈɛvɚ ɡɛt sˈʌmθɪŋ fɔːɹ nˈʌθɪŋ/sentence
used to suggest that everything has a cost or a price, and that achieving something requires effort, investment, or contribution
"Nothing comes without effort or cost — you never get something for nothing."
"The attractive deal came with conditions nobody had read carefully — you do not get something for nothing."
elbow grease is (always|) the best polish/ˈɛlboʊ ɡɹˈiːs ɪz ðə bˈɛst pˈɑːlɪʃ/sentence
used to imply that the best results are achieved by hard work
"Hard work is the best way to achieve anything — elbow grease is always the best polish."
"No tool improved her results as much as sheer effort — elbow grease is always the best polish."
genius is one percent inspiration, (and|) ninety nine percent perspiration/dʒˈiːnɪəs ɪz wˈʌn pɚsˈɛnt ˌɪnspɚɹˈeɪʃən ænd ɔːɹ nˈaɪnti nˈaɪn pɚsˈɛnt pɚspɚɹˈeɪʃən/sentence
used to imply that success or great achievements are mostly the result of hard work, dedication, and effort, rather than simply being a matter of natural talent or inspiration
"Talent means little without hard work — genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
"She was not the most naturally gifted, but her work ethic was extraordinary — genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
God makes the back to the burden/ɡˈɑːd mˌeɪks ðə bˈæk tə ðə bˈɜːdən/sentence
used to imply that every individual has the capability to overcome their own unique challenges, despite how overwhelming they may appear, by relying on their inner strength and resilience
"People are given the strength to handle what is asked of them — God makes the back to the burden."
"When life feels overwhelming, trust that God makes the back to the burden."
the longest way (round|around) is the nearest way home/ðə lˈɑːŋɡəst wˈeɪ ɹˈaʊnd ɔːɹ ɐɹˈaʊnd ɪz ðə nˈɪɹəst wˈeɪ hˈoʊm/sentence
used to caution against the temptation of choosing shortcuts or quick fixes that may appear easier or faster but could lead to undesirable consequences in the long run
"The longer route is sometimes the most reliable — the longest way round is the nearest way home."
"He skipped the careful preparation and had to redo everything — the longest way round is the nearest way home."
money does not grow on trees/mˈʌni dʌznˌɑːt ɡɹˈoʊ ˌɑːn tɹˈiːz/sentence
used to imply that money is not easily obtained or available, and one should not waste it unnecessarily
"Turn off the lights — money does not grow on trees."
"The finance director reminded the team that money does not grow on trees and asked for a detailed breakdown of all expenses."
go big or go home/ɡˌoʊ bˈɪɡ ɔːɹ ɡˌoʊ hˈoʊm/sentence
used to suggest that one should put in maximum effort or take a bold approach to achieve success, or else it is better not to try at all
"Commit fully or do not bother — go big or go home."
"She decided to launch the product globally from day one — go big or go home."
he who would catch fish must not mind getting wet/hiː hˌuː wʊd kˈætʃ fˈɪʃ mˈʌst nˌɑːt mˈaɪnd ɡˌɛɾɪŋ wˈɛt/sentence
used to imply that success requires effort and perseverance, and that people must be willing to face obstacles and discomfort to achieve their goals
"You must accept difficulty to achieve results — he who would catch fish must not mind getting wet."
"The work was uncomfortable and unglamorous, but he who would catch fish must not mind getting wet."
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